🟢 Avon Gets Shiny-New Restaurant

Good Morning Hartford,

I have some HEAT for you this week! (especially with the weather cooling down)

However, before we get into it, I promise you that I will never cover news and/or politics (because who wants that?) Plus this is a safe space in your inbox.

But at The Hartford Pour, our hearts go out to everyone dealing with the massive flash flooding in some areas of Connecticut this weekend.

With that said, let’s see what’s going on in and around Hartford County this week.

In today’s edition of The Hartford Pour, we’ll get into:

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun Tip: the NFL is back and I’m in my happy place)

Confession time:

Some of my favorite spots in Hartford County are ones a reader told me about first.

So I’m leaning on you again….

If you own a local business, or you're friendly with someone who does, and you think our little corner of the internet would be a good fit for them, hit reply and let me know!

We are actively looking for sponsors and are growing at a breakneck pace

(Sushi anyone?)

Now this place has mixed reviews online, so I tried it and wanted to give you an honest review.

When I say “mixed” reviews, I don’t mean all-out BAD reviews… because Haya Sushi gets a solid 4.3 out of 5 on Google Reviews.

But when I go to places like Feng Chophouse it can sometimes be hard to compare.

However, Haya Sushi lives up to the hype.

The sushi is downright delicious.

I tend to only mess with the “cooked” stuff when it comes to sushi, but I experiment with sashimi every now and then, too.

Regardless, I would definitely recommend them, but there are a couple of things that I wish they did better.

First, the outside surroundings walking into the restaurant leave a lot to be desired. As a result, I feel people are a bit turned off before walking in. (IF they walk in).

With that said, if you are going to miss on anything, I’d rather it be the exterior decor rather than the food.

Second, the interior looks too much like a Denny’s. And that is appropriate because before it was Haya, it was a Denny’s.

So, not much has been changed on the inside from a layout standpoint.

But with the couple of negatives, the food is what holds this place up. Everything from the Crab Rangoons, to the sesame chicken, and Dragon Rolls are scrumdiddlyumptious. (gotta check my spelling on that one)

Even the ginger and wasabi are on-point.

I would say, give this place a try instead and let them know “The Hartford Pour” sent you.

Check out the reviews on Haya Sushi and let me know what you think!

(BurgerMaXXXXXing)

Avon just keeps continuing to grow and expand and I LOVE IT!

Max Burger opens its third location Tuesday, September 15th at 70 East Main Street, the old Max A Mia spot before it hopped over to Avon Marketplace.

The menu looks identical to the West Hartford location which is seemingly ALWAYS packed.

We are talking hand-cut fries, locally baked buns, and sourced ingredients that make Max Burger so special in the first place.

As a whiskey guy, I’m already planning my order: a Big Boy Manhattan, high-end bourbon (Blanton’s isn’t high-end), vermouth, bitters, orange twist, and cocktail goodness.

If you’re feeling reckless, they’ll spike your milkshake with bourbon too. The Buffalo shake with caramel and vanilla ice cream is just a dangerous combo in the best way possible.

It’s a random Tuesday and you have a paintbrush in one hand, a pint of Open Trail in the other. And the best part, zero artistic talent required.

Well at Urban Lodge Brewing in Manchester (47 Purnell Pl), they got you! The Autumn Wax Melter pottery class starts at 6pm.

Afterwards, hustle over to Pratt Street in Hartford, because the Yard Goats are in the playoffs (who would have thunk it?) Regardless, there will be a Playoff Watch Party running from 5 to 9pm on a big screen with fellow Goats fans (aka… a win-win)

Afterwards, if you are still feeling froggish, you can drop into the other Urban Lodge’s taproom on Pratt Street for a Stowe Away NEIPA between innings.

Just remember, these are two different Urban Lodge locations, so hopefully I can cut down on any confusion.

“Wah gwaan!” So what pairs better with reggae than a crisp pilsner?

Nothing, that’s what.

Pratt Street seems to be the spot this week as Hartford turns into Island Mango Radio’s Reggae Night Wednesday from 6 to 9pm, hosted by Philip Duncan.

But even if you are not a reggae kind of person, I have another option for you.

Manchester’s got one of my favorite places, Elicit Brewing (165 Adams St) running Music Bingo at 6:30pm, and their Helicopter Dad IPA earns its name, 6.7% with plenty of bite, win or lose.

This is a big one, the Berlin Fair opens Thursday at 4pm, and if you’ve never been, it’s got a full Beer Pavilion with three covered sitting areas (my mind is blown).

The fairgrounds are at 430 Beckley Rd in East Berlin and the gates are open till 10pm.

The same night in Southington, Witchdoctor Brewing (168 Center St) is pouring for the CT Beer Tour for a Cancer-Free Future starting at 6pm.

It’s a good cause and an even better excuse to try their Butcher’s Broom Oktoberfest, clocking in at a 5.7% Märzen.

That’s basically fall in a glass.

Start at the fair, end at Witchdoctor, or just pick a lane. Either way, Thursday’s covered.

Do you know of an AWESOME restaurant or bar? Or something not included in this email you’d like to see?

REPLY to this email and let me know!